Ets-1 is a transcriptional mediator of oncogenic nitric oxide signaling in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer

• Published in: Breast cancer research : BCR 2012-09, Vol.14 (5), p.R125-R125, Article R125
• Main Authors: Switzer, Christopher H, Cheng, Robert Y-S, Ridnour, Lisa A, Glynn, Sharon A, Ambs, Stefan, Wink, David A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer; Cathepsins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cellular signal transduction; Development and progression; Estrogen; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genetic aspects; Genetic transcription; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Matrix Metalloproteinases - metabolism; Metastasis; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; Phenols; Phenotype; Physiological aspects; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 - metabolism; ras Proteins - metabolism; Receptors, Estrogen - genetics; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Stem cells; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 1465-542X; 1465-5411; 1465-542X
• DOI: 10.1186/bcr3319

The Ets-1 transcription factor is a candidate breast cancer oncogene that regulates the expression of genes involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Ets-1 signaling has also been linked to the development of a basal-like breast cancer phenotype. We recently described a nitric oxide (NO)-induced gene signature that is associated with poor disease outcome in estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer and contains both stem cell-like and basal-like components. Thus, we examined the role of Ets-1 in NO signaling and NO-induced phenotypes in ER- human breast cancer cells. Promoter region analyses were performed on genes upregulated in inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) high expressing tumors for Ets-binding sites. In vitro mechanisms were examined in human basal-like breast cancer cells lines. NO signaling effects were studied using either forced NOS2 expression or the use of a chemical NO-donor, diethlylenetriamine NONOate (DETANO). Promoter region analysis of genes that are up-regulated in human ER-negative breast tumors with high NOS2 expression revealed that the Ets-binding sequence is the only common promoter element present in all of these genes, indicating that Ets-1 is the key transcriptional factor down-stream of oncogenic NOS2-signaling. Accordingly, both forced NOS2 over-expression and exposure to NO-donors resulted in significant Ets-1 transcriptional activation in ER- breast cancer cells. Functional studies showed that NO activated Ets-1 transcriptional activity via a Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway by a mechanism that involved Ras S-nitrosylation. RNA knock-down of Ets-1 suppressed NO-induced expression of selected basal-like breast cancer markers such as P-cadherin, S100A8, IL-8 and αβ-crystallin. Additionally, Ets-1 knock-down reduced NO-mediated cellular proliferation, matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin B activities, as well as matrigel invasion. These data show that Ets-1 is a key transcriptional mediator of oncogenic NO signaling that promotes the development of an aggressive disease phenotype in ER- breast cancer in an Ets-1 and Ras-dependent manner, providing novel clues of how NOS2 expression in human breast tumors is functionally linked to poor patient survival.